PROMOTER Eddie Hearn has denied that Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko is set to make a shock comeback and rematch Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium on April 13.
Hearn revealed that Klitschko has been in contact with the unified IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion, but that Joshuaโs target is WBC heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder and becoming the undisputed champion.
โItโs not on our radar. I feel disrespectful even talking about what Klitschko might do. Itโs not for me to say,โ Hearn told Boxing News.
Joshua beat Klitschko in a thrilling 2017 unification clash. โThrough the fight theyโve just got that respect as fighters,โ the promoter said. โHe wants to do a job on Deontay Wilder, who he doesnโt have any respect for. He wants the belt. Thatโs what he wants. Itโs not even about Wilder. He just wants the belt. [Heโll say,] โIโll fight [Tyson] Fury but I want the belt.โ”
Hearn hopes to tempt Wilder into fighting Joshua on April 13 at Wembley Stadium. โIt depends what he [Wilder] wants. If he wants to be undisputed, which heโs always said โ one face, one champion, one king, he has to fight โAJโ. But if you donโt want a brutal fight, he should fight Fury. Because that wonโt be a brutal fight. He might get outboxed again but against โAJโ itโs going to be brutal. So maybe he donโt fancy that,โ the Matchroom promoter said. โMaybe he thinks, โYou know what I think I can beat Fury.โ It is a big fight, the rematch. Itโs all about what you want in your career and your legacy. There arenโt going to be many chances to be undisputed.โ
Itโs been reported that over 300,000 viewers bought the Wilder-Fury pay-per-view in America, with its hefty US price tag. โI think itโs terrible,โ Hearn said, โbut maybe theyโre celebrating it.
โI just think 300,000 is disappointing when youโve got Canelo-Golovkin doing 1.1, 1.2 million [buys] and thatโs supposed to be the biggest heavyweight fight in years and years, 300,000 doesnโt seem that impressive to me but theyโre all celebrating it so it must be good.โ